THIS was like a doubleheader victory for the Mets. The news from Pedro Martinez’s simulated game yesterday was a plus, then Orlando Hernandez picked up the win over the Dodgers at Shea.

Throw in Tommy Glavine’s 6 1/3 shutout innings Thursday night and the Mets’ AARP rotation is about set for the playoffs.

Between those three pitchers, the Mets will have 64 games of postseason experience on the mound. That’s invaluable.

All three understand the big stage in October.

Pitching coach Rick Peterson likened Hernandez’s performance in the 3-2 win over the Dodgers to a Broadway show. Asked what it was like to have the Pedro Show ready to go in the postseason, Peterson, a huge Bruce Springsteen fan, smiled and said, “For me, it’s like seeing the Boss. You keep lighting the matches, bringing him back.”

Martinez in October is the encore Mets fans can’t wait to see. He has not pitched since Aug. 14, and has made 20 starts this year, his least since 2001, when a sore shoulder limited him to 18 starts.

As Martinez came off the mound following his 75-pitch workout, there was sweat on his brow and a smile on his face. Good signs, both.

That told you all you needed to know. Martinez will be ready for that first October postseason game. The former Red Sox ace has been waiting for this opportunity since signing with the Mets. Beyond wanting to succeed here, he would like nothing better than to show the Red Sox they made a huge mistake letting him walk away as a free agent.

He is driven by the same motivation that drives Johnny Damon with the Yankees, the same motivation that drives Derek Lowe with the Dodgers. They all want to show the Red Sox they were counted out way too early.

Peterson offered another Springsteen line: “Maybe they thought his glory days were gone. Maybe they didn’t realize how good Pedro could be without averaging 94-95 [mph].”

As for the Mets’ big three, Peterson said, “Everybody can say what they want to say about their age, but I don’t know how you can value that kind of postseason experience. That’s remarkable.”

And on game day, there is nothing like the intensity each of those pitchers brings to the mound.

The Mets need Pedro to be Pedro to avoid a first-round knockout. To a man, they know how important he is to them.

“We’re almost in the playoffs,” said shortstop Jose Reyes, who picked up his 62nd extra-base hit of the season, a double, and has reached base safely in his past 16 games. “We saw him throw today and he looked terrific. Having him and Glavine and El Duque is great, no doubt.”

Pride in your performance can be a great motivator, too.

Martinez said he felt better than he thought he would in the four-inning stint. Of course, facing Ricky Ledee, Lastings Milledge and Anderson Hernandez isn’t anything like facing an October lineup.

“It’s just nice to see someone with a bat in their hands and try to make some pitches,” Martinez said.

Understand this: Martinez, Glavine and Hernandez do have a little wiggle room because this Mets’ offense will score runs. All year they’ve found a way to score more than their opponent. The win yesterday was the 29th one-run victory the Mets have had this year, best in the majors.

The flip side is, those one-run wins in September can become one-run losses in October.

If Martinez’s calf, hip and big toe manage to stay together through October, the Mets will make the most of their runs.

“I’m very optimistic I can pull this out,” Martinez said. “I felt fine, I’m just trying to get back to my groove, now I just need to pitch.”